The surprising way to get an extra Vitamin C boost this season

It’s that time of year when you can’t help but think of immunity all the time. You’re reminded of it when your co-worker in the next cubicle sneezes for the twentieth time or when the woman two yoga mats away sniffles all through savasana, or when…well, you get the idea.

Prioritizing your vitamin C intake is a good idea all year long, really. And while there’s nothing wrong with gulping down an extra glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, there are other ways to support your immune system.

“Approximately 70 percent of our immune system resides in our gut, so it’s very important to maintain digestive balance to increase overall wellness,” says Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, PhD, the founder and chief scientific officer BIOHM Health. “Taking a probiotic will help you do so.”

And BIOHM has gone the extra mile with a probiotic that actually includes a helping of vitamin C. Ghannoum says he created BIOHM Immunity to not only keep your digestion on track, but to help protect your body’s immune system—thanks to the addition of 150 mg of vitamin C.

Vitamin C can actually help with gut health

“Low levels of vitamin C have been shown to affect the balance of fungi in the gut,” Dr. Ghannoum says, adding that imbalances in fungi might not only lead to digestive issues, but could be linked to more serious health issues as well. “Therefore adding vitamin C is a good thing.”

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Photo: Stocksy/Alita Ong

The right amount of vitamin C is likely to provide the best results

When Dr. Ghannoum decided to add vitamin C, he was very strategic about capping it at 150 mg. “It’s the optimal vitamin C-boosted dose,” he says. “It helps support optimal immune function without giving you too much vitamin C and potentially causing you issues that can sometimes come with a megadose of the vitamin.” (Specifically, BIOHM lists bloating, cramps, and a whole host of other unpleasant side effects as potential results of too much vitamin C.)

And another bonus of taking a probiotic amped up with the vitamin? You only have to remember to take one pill. Double duty for the win.